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Shihan Jan Knobel, 8th Dan Shihan Jan Knobel, has been practicing Traditional Karate for more than 30 years during which, he practice with many Japanese master who are considered by many as legends. Sensei Knobel is a proven competitor having won the titles of European champion 2nd in Johannesburg during the World Championships 1993 and World champion in Greece 1996. He is also an accomplished coach, having led his students to podiums on several international competitions. Sensei Knobel is the founder of the World JKA Karate Association (WJKA), a non-political organization that is based on the teachings and methodology of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) of the 1960's through to the early 1980's under the leadership of Masatoshi Nakayama. |
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Shihan Koss Yokota, 8th Dan Shihan Koss Yokota is a 8th Dan Shotokan master who started his martial arts journey in the Hyogo Prefecture, more than 45 years ago. In 1981 and 1982, he was crowned champion of the Hyogo prefecture which he represented at the JKA All National Championship in Tokyo. He currently serves as the technical director of the World JKA Karate Alliance (WJKA) and has recently published a book named "Shotokan Myths", in which he exposes myth and misconceptions many western Karate practitioners have. |
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Sensei Daniel Adams, 1st Dan Sensei Daniel Adams started practicing Shotokan karate in 2002, at LMCKS, a dojo located at his workplace, where he works as an Engineer. Training at the workplace proved insufficient for Sensei Adams appetite, prompting him to join the closest JKA affiliated dojo, then lead by Shihan Chanh Chau Tran and Shihan Yukata Katsumata. He currently acts as the lead instructor at LMCKS, where he teaches the benefits of Traditional Shotokan Karate to friends and collegues throughout the corporate campus.
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- In karate, courtesy is from beginning to end
- Rei (salute) before, Rei after.
- Karate does not start with provocation
- Only use karate as a means of self defense.
- Only practice karate with a sense of justice in its mind
- Karate is a martial art of honor and righteousness (as opposed to being a tool for bandits and thugs)
- Understanding of self will lead to understanding of others
- Karate is about the discovery of the self.
- Mental strength is more determinant than physical strength
- A correct heart (mind) is better than a correct technique.
Gijutsu's literal meaning is skills and he means karate skills. Shinjutsu means mental techniques. He is not saying karate skills are not important. What he is saying that we only practice the physical aspect of karate techniques (kicks and punches). However, we do not pay enough attention to our mind set. And this mind set could include patience, bravery, courtesy, kindness, determination, quick decision making, etc. that are all important when you face a danger. And this "danger" does not mean only a fight or an attack from an enemy. It could mean an accident, natural disasters and any unexpected events or occurrences.
Imagine that you came across with a car accident and this car is burning badly. You see a passenger is trapped in there. You do not know if this person is still alive or not. You could kill yourself if you go to the car as it may explode at any moment. Will you risk your life and try to save this person? Or will you just stand there and watch this person burn to death? Here, your karate skills will not help. What you need is a quick decision making and swift action that would or could save this person and yourself.
